Belfast Black Taxi Tour: Troubles History & Peace Wall

Ride with drivers from both sides as they share untold Troubles stories firsthand

A 2-hour private black taxi tour of Belfast led by a driver guide who shares the history of the Troubles (1969–1998) and takes you through Shankill's loyalist murals, the Peace Wall, and Falls Road's republican political art. Hotel pickup within central Belfast is included. The tour operates in English with a guide who draws on 25 years of local experience.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Shankill45m
2. Belfast Peace Wall30m
3. Falls Road Belfast45m

Explore Belfast's Troubles history and murals

• Learn history from 1690 Battle of the Boyne
• Hear about Troubles from 1969 to 1998 peace
• Walk Loyalist area and see wall murals
• Visit Belfast Peace Wall and see art
• Tour Falls Road and political murals
• See Bobby Sands mural at Sinn Fein office
• Learn about 1981 Irish hunger strike

The experience

The tour begins in Shankill, where your driver guide walks you through the heart of the loyalist area and explains the wall murals: what they depict and why they were painted. You'll have time to photograph them yourself. From there, the cab moves to the Peace Wall, the barrier erected in 1969 to separate Catholic and Protestant populations after the outbreak of the Troubles. Built as a temporary structure meant to last six months, the walls were made permanent because they worked. Today they're covered in art and messages left by visitors.

Falls Road is the final major stop: the birthplace of the Provisional IRA and a street where every section and its political mural gets explained in detail. The guide points out the Bobby Sands mural at the Sinn Féin press office, one of the most recognized political images in the world, and tells the history of the 1981 hunger strike in H Blocks Prison. Throughout the tour, the driver shares personal stories alongside the documented history, framing events from 1690 (the Battle of the Boyne) through the 1998 peace agreement.

The cab is air-conditioned and holds small groups or individuals. If you want to stop for drinks or snacks along the way, you can ask the guide: British pounds are needed. Pickup happens at your central Belfast hotel. If you're staying outside the central radius, an extra charge may apply. The whole tour runs two hours, which is the time needed to cover the three main areas without rushing the stops.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup within central Belfast.
• private black taxi with air-conditioned cab.
• driver guide sharing 25 years of local knowledge and personal stories.
• stops at Shankill's loyalist murals, the Peace Wall, and Falls Road's republican political art.
• time to photograph the murals yourself.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (under 14)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 37 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Belfast famous black taxi tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the Troubles explained by someone who lived through them. The split workforce means your guide comes from one of the two communities at the heart of the conflict, so the history carries the weight of personal experience rather than a script.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 14).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Peace Wall and why was it built?

The Peace Wall is a barrier erected in 1969 after the outbreak of the Troubles to separate the Catholic (Republican) and Protestant (Loyalist) populations of Belfast. It was originally built as a temporary structure intended to last only six months, but because it proved effective, it was made higher, longer and permanent. Today it's covered with art and messages of hope left by visitors.

Who are the driver guides on this tour?

The company's workforce is split evenly (50% Republican and 50% Loyalist), so guides come from both communities and share perspectives from their own lived experience during and after the Troubles. The company has been operating for over 25 years.

What happens at Falls Road and why is it significant?

Falls Road is where the Provisional IRA was formed and is the center of republican political art in Belfast. The guide explains each mural in detail and what it represents. The tour stops at the Sinn Féin press office to see the Bobby Sands mural, one of the world's most famous political images, and covers the history of the 1981 hunger strike in H Blocks Prison.

Is hotel pickup included, and does it cost extra if I'm staying outside central Belfast?

Hotel pickup within the central Belfast radius is included in the tour price. If your hotel is outside that central area, an extra charge may apply. Confirm your location when you book.

Can I stop for food or drinks during the tour?

Yes, you can ask your guide to stop for drinks or snacks along the way. British pounds are required for any purchases you make.